General Discussion

Orrex

(67,138 posts)

3. It's not just about *preventing* suicides, though that's part of it

Mon Jul 22, 2013, 09:48 AM

Jul 2013

The subject of suicide is likely to come up in any discussion of annual gun fatalities, and gun advocates will often assert something along the lines of "they would have found some other way to do it." The subtext is that guns are no more deadly than any of a million other methods of causing death.

The reality is far different: guns are far more lethal than other weapons or substances.

However, when advocating for guns, it is difficult to admit this fact while also trying to assert that guns don't kill people.

It would be nice if we could prevent suicides by gunshot. Absent that, it would be nice if would eliminate a bogus talking point from the gun advocates' bag of tricks.

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Suicides involving firearms are fatal 85% of the time, pills less than 3%. [View all] Robb Jul 2013 OP

Guns are much more easily available n2doc Jul 2013 #1

Or you could use over the counter meds available at every... sarisataka Jul 2013 #42

That's the thing- Acetaminophen is a very bad, drawn out death n2doc Jul 2013 #43

When I worked at a hospital sarisataka Jul 2013 #47

Prescription Painkillers Now the Leading Cause of Accidental Deaths FarCenter Jul 2013 #65

So what gun law will prevent suicides? hack89 Jul 2013 #2

It's not just about *preventing* suicides, though that's part of it Orrex Jul 2013 #3

I appreciate how deadly guns are hack89 Jul 2013 #4

Great post! nt Mojorabbit Jul 2013 #5

Yeah, because gun advocates are so susceptible pscot Jul 2013 #8

It is the gun controllers that minimize mental health hack89 Jul 2013 #11

+100. n/t Skip Intro Jul 2013 #35

I think it would be helpful if you identified yourself as an NRA member in posts like this. Robb Jul 2013 #9

So how do you plan to make guns less available to healthy people with no criminal records? hack89 Jul 2013 #10

I accept that you appreciate how dangerous guns are, but... Orrex Jul 2013 #13

On the other hand we see those aggregate death totals hack89 Jul 2013 #14

It is appropriate to address multiple issues at once Orrex Jul 2013 #18

Of course someone should give his/her real name when they buy a gun hack89 Jul 2013 #20

I see absolutely no problem with universal gun registration. Orrex Jul 2013 #27

According to the FBI, there were 8,775 firearm murders in 2010 hack89 Jul 2013 #28

I see nothing wrong with calling it gun violence, because that's what it is. Orrex Jul 2013 #29

Short of a database to report and track psychiatric patients hack89 Jul 2013 #38

"Chunks of metal" Orrex Jul 2013 #39

So my guns are stolen and the thief kills someone. hack89 Jul 2013 #40

If the gun is registered to you, then you are responsible for it, aren't you now? Orrex Jul 2013 #41

No - not in the US legal system hack89 Jul 2013 #44

I never understood Lee-Lee Jul 2013 #48

Do retailers maintain records of who purchases which guns? For how long? Orrex Jul 2013 #49

Ok. Lets see what happens hack89 Jul 2013 #50

Of course they won't while the Conservative Party maintains a majority Orrex Jul 2013 #53

Makes you wonder why there isn't a political counterweight to the NRA hack89 Jul 2013 #54

A multi-billion dollar, centuries-old industry has a lot of firepower Orrex Jul 2013 #55

Could be hack89 Jul 2013 #58

The NRA is the propaganda wing of the gun industry Orrex Jul 2013 #64

Gun dealers must retain records for 20 years minimum n/t Lee-Lee Jul 2013 #51

Is this accessible in any reasonable way? Orrex Jul 2013 #52

What typically happens Lee-Lee Jul 2013 #56

Great info--thanks Orrex Jul 2013 #60

It isn't a problem of them doing a second check Lee-Lee Jul 2013 #66

What would gun registration accomplish? GreenStormCloud Jul 2013 #62

The SCOTUS has been wrong many times Orrex Jul 2013 #63

After twelve years NY dropped their ballistics fingerprinting. GreenStormCloud Jul 2013 #30

Interesting--wasn't aware of that. Orrex Jul 2013 #31

It was in DU last year in the Gungeon. GreenStormCloud Jul 2013 #32

There's a problem of methodology, of course Orrex Jul 2013 #34

Universal background checks will help BainsBane Jul 2013 #19

Which I support. hack89 Jul 2013 #21

So what are you doing to get them passed at the federal level? BainsBane Jul 2013 #24

All of my representatives and Senators support UBCs and I have written to them hack89 Jul 2013 #26

Having responded to a lt of suicide calls Lee-Lee Jul 2013 #6

Guns and pills aren't the only methods of suicide. GreenStormCloud Jul 2013 #7

The study does not just compare guns and pills. Robb Jul 2013 #12

It leaves out lots of methods. GreenStormCloud Jul 2013 #16

You can find those methods on the CDC site BainsBane Jul 2013 #23

Try reading what I actually wrote. GreenStormCloud Jul 2013 #25

Many of those require physical dexterity and a lack of fear n2doc Jul 2013 #33

Having worked in a crisis center most pill ODs are a cry for attention. hobbit709 Jul 2013 #15

From what I've gathered, most pill deaths are unintentional. fglad Jul 2013 #17

What is troubling is the higher than general population of suicide or other PufPuf23 Jul 2013 #22

Golden Gate bridge sucessful suicide rate is... L0oniX Jul 2013 #36

Golden Gate was an example. GreenStormCloud Jul 2013 #37

Here's an idea - ban suicide by gun. Problem solved The Straight Story Jul 2013 #45

Better to protect Our Precious Guns at all costs Orrex Jul 2013 #57

It is not the guns I see as precious, but our personal freedoms The Straight Story Jul 2013 #61

Oh, here is some news you can use: The Straight Story Jul 2013 #46

Suicide by jumping from tall buildings is approaching 100% Demo_Chris Jul 2013 #59